WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s two largest parties lost support in a key opinion poll, leaving the election in less than six weeks finely balanced.
The governing National Party fell to 28%, which is its lowest level of support since 2021, according to the 1News Verian poll published late Monday (Sept 28). The main opposition Labour Party also dropped to 28% - its worst since early 2024.
The result heaps further pressure on Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who is seeking a second term at the Nov 7 vote but has been hampered by a sluggish economy and cost-of-living pressures that have hit household incomes. At the same time Labour has failed to persuade people that it offers a compelling alternative, with support instead flowing to smaller parties.
New Zealand has a proportional representation electoral system, and National governs in a coalition with the New Zealand First Party and the ACT Party. Backing for NZ First rose to 9% while ACT improved to 11%, the poll showed.
Still, that means the existing centre-right coalition wouldn’t control a majority of parliament.
The big gainer in the poll was the Green Party, which surged four points to a record 16% support. That potentially gives the Labour-led bloc a pathway to power if it links with the Opportunity Party, which was on 6% in the poll.
Opportunity has never entered parliament, having failed to reach the 5% threshold at previous elections. However, several recent polls have put it above that level, raising the prospect that it may play a role in determining the next government. - Bloomberg
